Adjustable chair.



J. F. WALTON & W. T. FAVORITE.

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED 211.26, 1912.

1,'037,565 l Patented sepn.3,1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0.. WASHINBNN., D. Cr-

J. F. WALTON & W. T. FAVORITE.

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED 121213.26, 1912.

Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

t Iltlll UMBIA PLANOGRAPH m.. WASHINUNN, D. (2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JERROLD F. WALTON AND WILLIAM T. FAVORITE, F STURGIS, MICHIGAN; SAIDFAVORITE ASSIGNOR TO SAID WALTON.

[ ADJUSTABLE CHAIR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

' To all whom t may concern;

Be it knownthat we, JERnoLD F. WAL'roN and WILLIAM T. FAVORITE, citizensof the United States, residing at the city of Sturgis, county of St.Joseph, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Adjustable Chairs, of which the following is aspecification.

This invent-ion relates to impro-vements in adjustable chairs.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide an improvedadjust-able chair which is very easily adjusted and to any desiredposition within its scope. Second, to provide in an adjustable chair animproved adjust-ing mechanism which is comparatively simple in structureas well as being economical and durable.

Further objects and objects relating to structural details will denitelyappear from the detailed description to follow. n

We accomplish the objectsof our invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification.

The structure described constitutes one effective embodiment of ourinvention.

Other embodiments would be readily devised by those skilled in the art.A The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims. y

A` structure constituting an effective and preferred embodiment of thefeatures of our invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, forming apart of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a side elevation of a structure embodying the features ofour invention, with portions ,broken away to bettershow structuraldetails. Fig, II is an inverted view of the structure appearing in Fig.'I. Fig. III is a detail perspective of our improved adjusting mechanism,as here embodied. Fig. IV is an enlarged det-ail vertical sectionthrough the adjusting mechanism. Fig. V is -an inverted perspective viewof the clutch member 15. Fig. VI is a detail perspectiveof the forwardend of the link l2. `Fig. VII is a detail view of a modified form of theconnect-ion `between n link 12 and slide 16. Fig. VIII is a detailReferring to the drawing, the chair frame u preferably consists of rearposts 1 and front posts 2 which are extended to form the front and rearlegs of the chair.

The posts are connected to the front and rear frame pieces 8 and theside frame pieces 4. The front and, rear frame pieces are connected bythe horizontally-disposed piece 5 on which the adjusting mechanism ismounted. On the-upper ends of the posts are arms 6. The arms, in thestruct-ure illustrated, are connected to the side fra-me pieces 4 bypanel-like pieces 7.

The back, in the structure illustrated, is formed of side bars 8connected by suitable cross pieces 9, as is well understood. The back ishinged at 10.l Secured to the back,

preferably by arranging through the cross Vthe link when it is released.This link is adjustably secured by means of the clutch member 15. which,in 'the structure illustrated, is plate-like in form and provided withV-shaped teeth 16o'nv one edge. On the under side of the plate is apivot ear, 17 which is embraced by the forward end of the link. Acoacting clutch memberklS is provided, having V-shaped teeth 19corresponding to the teeth 16 of the clutch member 15. These clutchmembers are, in the structure illustrated, slidablyv supported by abracket, `designated 'generally as 20, having a slide way 21 for theclutch member 15 and a slide way 22 for the coacting clutch member 18.This bracket is provided with ears 23 and 24 for attachment to the`frame piece 5, and also with upturned ears 25 to which the inner endsrof the bars 26 are secured. (See Fig. 3.) The bracket with its ears asdescribed, is preferably formedl inteorally of sheet metal. At the outerends o the bars 26 are turned laterally arms 27 which are secured toone'of the side pieces 4 of the frame. `One of the bars being longer jenthan the other, the proper spacing of the outer ends of these bars issecured, while t-heir inner ends are held in a spaced relation by thebracket to which they are secured, as described. Y

Mounted between the bars on the pivot 28 is a lever 29 having aninclined end 30 adapted to coact with the inclined end 31 of the clutchmember 18 in forcing the clutch member to its engaging position. Thelever is actuated by the spring 32, preferably a rod spring-as shown,its outer end being secured to the lever at 33 while its inner endengages the cross piece 34.- on the bars 26. This cross piece not onlyretains the spring under tension to actuate the lever, but also servesto limit the upward movement of the lever, its downward movement being`limited by engagement with the bracket 20. (See Fig. The lever'29 ispreferably operated by means of the button 35 inthe arm of the chair,the stem 36 of which rests upon the lever 29 so that when the button 35is pressed downwardly the inner end of the lever is lifted out ofengagement with the clutch member 18, thus freeing the clutch member 15and consequently the back, permitting its adjustment. When the lever isreleased the clutch members are actuated to retain the back in itsadjusted position.

Our improved adjusting mechanism is very easily manipulated; that is, itis easily engaged and disengaged to permit the adjustment of the back,and the back may be adjusted to substantially any position v-'ithin itslimits. The structure is also of advantage in that it is simple andeconomical and very strong and durable.

In the modified form of the connection between the link 12 and slide 16,as shown in Fig. VII, the connecting lug 17a and ears 17b turnedoutwardly for the connection of the tension springs 14.

In the modification shown in Fig. VIH, only one of the bars is turnedoif at right angles to form an arm 27', for the purpose of attachment.The other bar is provided with a projection 26a to properly space thebars. Y

7e have illustrated and described our improvements in detail in the formin which we have embodiedthem in practice. We are, however, aware thatthey are capable of very considerable variation in structural detailswithout departing from our inven-V tion, and we desire to be understoodas claiming them specifically in theform illustrated, as well asbroadly, within the scope of the appended claims. y

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: Y

1. The combination with the Vframe and hack, of a link connected to saidback, said link being formed of pieces` arranged side by side with theirforward ends separated and turned laterally; springs connected to thelaterally-turned ends of said link pieces and to said frame; aplate-like clutch member having V-shaped teeth on one edge thereof and apivot ear on its under side arranged between the link pieces and pivotedthereto; a coacting clutch member having V-shaped teeth thereon and aninclined surface at its outer end; a bracket havingtransversely-disposed ways in which said clutch members are slidablyarranged, and bar and frame attaching ears, said bracket being formedintegrally of 4sheet metal; a pair of spaced bars secured to said frameat their outer ends and to said bar attaching ears of said brackets attheir inner ends, a lever having an inclined surface at its inner endadapted to engage the inclined surface of said clutch member, pivotedbetween said bars; a rod spring arranged between said bars, its outerend being secured to said lever; a cross piece on said bars under whichthe inner end of said spring is arranged, Vsaid cross piece .and bracketbeing adapted to limit the movement of said lever; and a button on saidframe having a stem adapted to engage the outer end of said lever.

2. The combination with the frame and back,-of a link connected to saidback; a plate-like clutch member having V-shaped teeth on one edgethereof and a pivot ear for said link on its under side; a coactingclutch member having V-shaped teeth thereon and an inclined surface atits outer end; a bracket having transversely-disposed ways in which saidclutch members are slidably arranged, and bar and frame attaching Cars,said bracket being formed integrally of sheet metal; a pair of spacedbars secured to said frame at their outer ends and to said bar attachingears of said brackets at their inner ends; a lever having an inclinedsurface at its'inner end adapted to engage the inclined surface of saidclutch member, pivoted between said bars; a rod spring arranged betweensaid bars, its outer ends being secured to lsaid lever; a cross piece onsaid bars under which the inner end of said spring is arranged, saidcross piece and bracket being adapted to limit the movement of saidlever; and a button on said frame having a stem adapted to engage theouter end of said lever. 4

- 3. The combination with the frame and back, of a link connected tosaid back, said link being fcrmedof pieces arranged side by side withtheir forward ends separated and turned laterally; springs connected tothe laterally-turned ends of said link pieces and to said frame; aplate-likeclutch member having V-shaped teeth' on one edgethereof and apivot ear on its under side arranged between the link pieces and pivotedthereto; a coacting clutch member having V-shaped teeth thereon and aninclined surface at its outer end; a bracket having transverselydisposedways in which said clutch members are slidably arranged, and bar andframe attaching ears, said bracket being formed integrally of sheetmetal; a pair of spaced bars secured to said frame at their outer endsand to said bar attaching ears of said brackets at their inner ends; anda lever having an inclined surface at its inner end adapted to engagethe inclined surface of lsaid clutch member, pivoted between said ars.

Il. The combination with the frame and back, of a link connected to saidback; a plate-like clutch member having V-shaped teeth on one edgethereof and a pivot ear for said link on its under side; a coactingclutch member having V-shaped teeth thereon and an inclined surface atits outer end; a bracket having transversely-disposed ways in which saidclutch members are slidably arranged, and bar and frame attaching ears;said bracket being formed integrally of sheet metal; a pair of spacedbars secured to said frame at their outer ends and to said bar attachingears of said brackets at their inner ends; and a lever having aninclined surface at its inner end adapted to engage the inclined surfaceof said clutch member, pivoted between said bars.

5. The combination with the frame and back, of a link connected to saidback; a sliding clutch member provided with V-shaped teeth connected tosaid link; a coacting clutch member provided at its inner end withengaging teeth and having an inclined surface at its outer end; meansfor slidably supporting said clutch members; a pivoted lever having aninclined surface at its inner end adapted to engage the inclined surfaceof said clutch member; a spring for actuating said lever; and a fingerpiece for operating said lever to release said clutch.

6. In an adjustable chair the combination of the chair frame; anadjustable back pivoted on said frame; a slidable clutch member insuitable ways on said frame; a connection from said slidable member tosaid back; a coacting clutch member to engage said slidable memberandprovided with an inclined surface; a lever having an inclined surfaceto coperate with the inclined surface on said clutch member; a springurging said lever against said clutch member; and means for manuallymanipulating said lever to release said clutch.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals in thepresence of two witnesses.

J. F. WALTON. WILLIAM T. FAVORITE.

L. s. [1.. s]

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

